The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has long been the center of much controversy. Some studies have shown that the benefits of medical marijuana use far outweigh the negative health problems that may be associated with its use and therefore should be an accepted treatment method for some patients suffering from conditions such as sclerosis. in plates. cancer, AIDS and eating disorders (Okie, 2005). Yet other studies have proven that there is not enough scientific evidence on the drug, as it should not be legalized for medication use (Hutchings, 2002). Currently the issue is moving forward, not without controversy, but it is unclear when a clear decision will be made. In a recent article by Okie (2005), some doctors prescribe medical marijuana to treat chronic or neuropathic pain. Okie provides information about a patient, Angel McCleary Riach, who is addicted to marijuana because she found it helped control her pain and increase her appetite. The patient and her doctor Ludico believed that Riach's health would seriously deteriorate if she was denied the use of medical marijuana, because she would not be able to tolerate the pain. Although doctors cited in the article prescribe marijuana primarily for pain control, some have found it effective in treating muscle spasms, mood disorders, AIDS, migraines, and for increasing appetite in cancer patients (Okie, 2005). One doctor said many of their patients who use marijuana buy it illegally, but for patients with families, it poses too much risk. It's an ongoing struggle in their daily lives, and without the legalization of medical marijuana, these patients will continue...... middle of paper ...... part one it is understandable that there are many of hesitation to completely legalize this drug in the health sector. Prosecuting marijuana users who suffer from a debilitating illness is punishing them beyond necessity. If their lives are limited by the pain caused by their particular illness and banning their use of the one thing that can make their daily lives less painful seems unfair and unethical. Works Cited Hutchings, R. (2002). Why don't I prescribe pot. Medical Post, 38(7); 13Okie, S. (2005). Medical Marijuana and the Supreme Court. The New England Journal of Medicine, 353(7); 648-651 Voth, EA, (2002). Should Doctors Support the Medical Use of Marijuana The British Medical Journal, 16(2);Wingerchuk, W. (2004). Cannabis for medical purposes; cultivate science, eliminate fiction. The Lancet, 364(9431); 315-316